Mashantuckets hire three police officers

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Chairman Rodney Butler, left, holds the bible as tribal councilor Roy Colebut-Ingram, not pictured, administers the oath of officer to three new tribal police officers, from left to right, Antoinette Fox, Ethan Cohen and Michelle Chadwick Friday, November 30, 2012 at the tribal public safety complex. Officer Fox joins after a 26-year career with the New London PD. Officer Cohen is a 20-year veteran of the NYPD. Officer Chadwick is a graduate of Post University with a BS in Criminal Justice.Sean D. Elliot/The Day

Mashantucket — The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe added three officers to its police force Friday, including a former New London officer who retired after 26 years of service and a retired 20-year veteran of the New York City Police Department.

The tribal department's newest members were sworn in during a ceremony in the tribe's public safety complex on Pequot Trail.

Roy Colebut-Ingram, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council's Public Safety Committee, administered the oath of office to Ethan Cohen, the NYPD retiree; Antoinette Fox, the former New London officer; and Michelle Chadwick, a first-time officer who earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice at Post University.

"It is an honor and privilege to welcome these outstanding new officers here to Mashantucket," Colebut-Ingram said.

Tribal Police Chief William Dittman added, "I am very pleased with the addition of these three officers to our department. Each will, with their individual experience and talents, complement our existing staff."

The tribal force, which in September announced the hiring of three officers and two dispatchers, now includes 17 officers and eight dispatchers. The tribe has been working to bolster the department in anticipation of assuming greater responsibility for the policing its Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods, where it shares jurisdiction with state police.

Cohen holds a bachelor's degree in government from Saint Lawrence University and plans to move to Connecticut from Long Island with his wife and their 15-year-old daughter, according to the tribe. Fox, who retired in October from the New London Police Department, has experience in field training and records. She lives in Colchester with her husband and son.

Chadwick, who lives in Waterbury, will attend the state police academy, the tribe said.